It is important that your puppy or kitten is as healthy as possible from the beginning.
Each puppy should receive a few core vaccines (starting around 6-8 weeks of age) to prevent diseases which can be life threatening: Multiple Distemper-Parvo (DA2PP) vaccines are usually recommended, and One Rabies vaccine at about 16 weeks of age Other vaccines may be recommended if your pet is around other pets, travel with you, go to dog parks or stay at boarding facilities, etc. These vaccines include Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Coronavirus, Leptosporosis, Rattlesnake vaccine, and the Dental vaccine and the Giardia vaccine. Talk to your pet�s veterinarian about your pet�s lifestyle so they may recommend the vaccines your pet needs to stay healthy.
All kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) as soon as they are adopted, sometimes they may require more than one test in the first year of their life. Kittens also need a few core vaccines, starting around 6-8 weeks of age. These may include: Rabies vaccine Multiple Feline Upper Respiratory vaccines (FVRCP) Feline Leukemia vaccines (FeLV) Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Both puppies and Kittens should also be dewormed. This involves a simple injection or oral medication, sometimes multiple times, in order to break the parasite�s life cycle.
Because not all types of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites will be destroyed by deworming medication, it is also important to test your pet�s stool to ensure no other parasites exist. Some GI parasites (like Roundworms) are contagious to humans. A quick and easy fecal exam can protect your pets and your family.
Flea and tick medication is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Fleas and ticks can carry parasites that can make your puppy or kitten very sick. It is easy to protect them with monthly flea and tick prevention.
Heartworm prevention comes in an easy to give chewable treat, or a quick squirt on the back. Protecting your pet from a life threatening disease has never been so simple!
Ask your pet�s veterinarian about how the right nutrition can help to keep your pet healthy!
Compassionate pediatric examinations and preventive immunizations for your new puppy or kitten.
Comprehensive Puppy Vaccination & Health Schedule
Puppies require a series of booster immunizations spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart to safely replace waning maternal antibodies: - 6 to 8 Weeks of Age: Initial comprehensive physical examination, first core DA2PP vaccine (Distemper, Adenovirus-2/Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), fecal centrifugal flotation, and broad-spectrum deworming. - 10 to 12 Weeks of Age: Second DA2PP booster, Bordetella (Kennel Cough) immunization, lifestyle risk assessment (Leptospirosis vaccine for dogs with outdoor access), and initiation of monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention. - 14 to 16 Weeks of Age: Final DA2PP booster, second Leptospirosis booster, and 1-Year Rabies immunization as mandated by Oklahoma state law. Microchipping identification is strongly recommended at this visit.
Complete Kitten Vaccination & Feline Health Milestones
Kittens require specialized viral screening and immunization protocols: - FeLV / FIV Retrovirus Testing: All newly adopted kittens must be tested immediately for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) via in-house ELISA blood testing. - 6 to 8 Weeks of Age: Initial physical examination, FVRCP vaccine (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia), and fecal deworming. - 10 to 12 Weeks of Age: Second FVRCP booster and initiation of the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccine series for all outdoor or semi-outdoor felines. - 14 to 16 Weeks of Age: Final FVRCP booster, FeLV booster, and 1-Year Rabies vaccination.
Socialization, Behavior & Adolescent Spay/Neuter Planning
The critical behavioral socialization window closes around 14 to 16 weeks of age. We guide you through positive-reinforcement house training, crate training, safe human socialization, and bite inhibition. We also discuss optimal timing for spay or neuter surgery (typically between 5 and 6 months of age) to prevent unwanted litters and reduce risks of mammary neoplasia or reproductive cancers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can my puppy safely go to dog parks or puppy playgroups?
Your puppy should NOT visit public dog parks, commercial pet store floors, or interact with dogs of unknown vaccination status until 10 to 14 days AFTER completing their final 16-week vaccination series. Canine Parvovirus is extremely hardy in soil and highly contagious to partially vaccinated puppies.
Why do puppies and kittens need so many vaccine boosters?
Maternal antibodies ingested through mothers' colostrum provide temporary immunity but neutralize early vaccines. Because maternal antibody levels decline unpredictably between 6 and 16 weeks, sequential boosters ensure that as soon as maternal protection fades, the vaccine stimulates the pet's own active immune defense.
How often should I feed my new puppy or kitten?
Puppies and kittens require frequent meals to avoid hypoglycemia. Young pets under 4 months should be fed 3 to 4 measured meals daily of an AAFCO-certified growth diet; after 4 to 6 months, feeding can transition to twice daily.